We are excited to announce the 8th annual Armed Forces Thanksgiving luncheon saluting our local United States military members…past, present, and future. As one of our loyal table sponsors, we want to thank you for your past support and ask that you join us again. This year’s event will take place at the JW Marriott on Friday, May 19th during Armed Forces Appreciation Month.
With the help of business leaders like yourself, this event has sold out each year and has raised over $388,000 to support local veterans. While our primary mission is to advocate for our military members, we have been able to make a significant donation each year to the West Michigan Veterans Coalition so that they can continue their mission of improving the lives of veterans and their families by connecting them to all available services and resources in West Michigan.
This year’s luncheon will be highlighted with a keynote address from Rocky Bleier, former NFL Football Player and Super Bowl Champion, Wounded Vietnam Veteran & Purple Heart Recipient. Following his rookie season with the Steelers, Bleier was drafted and deployed to Vietnam. While on patrol, Bleier was wounded in the left thigh by enemy fire when his platoon was ambushed. An enemy grenade also landed nearby, and he was hit in the right leg by shrapnel, and lost part of his right foot. Bleier, who was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart, was later told by doctors he would never play football.
We hope you can join us on May 19th and show our military men and women how grateful we are for their bravery and heroism. It is community members like you who realize the freedoms we enjoy are a result of the tremendous sacrifices our military personnel have made.
Sincerely,
Peter Ruppert Joe DiBenedetto
Fusion Education Group Lambert & Co.
Armed Forces Thanksgiving Co-Chairman Armed Forces Thanksgiving Co-Chairman
